Clarinet



April 6, 1954 o. E. CHRISTENSEN 2,674,148

CLARINET Filed Aug. 20, 1951 mi Z0 Egg 5,

- IIYVENTOR. 050a r E, 6/7775 767756/0 Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARINET Oscar E. Christensen, Salt Lake City, Utah Application August 20, 1951, Serial No. 242,703

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the class of musical instruments and is directed particularly to improvements in clarinets, by means of which improvements the instrumentalist is enabled to more accurately produce certain tones.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a means in a clarinet construction for producing acorrect intonation of the tones E fiat (lower line of the staff) and B flat (second space above the staff), when played with the Boehm, or one and one fingering, which employs only the thumb of the left hand and the index finger of each hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clarinet construction wherein the sharpness of the tones above the staff which is brought about by the opening of the register key, is decreased by reducing the size of the register key hole and providing a means for compensating for such hole size reduction when the tone B flat in the staff is to be played, by providing an additional tone hole.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a clarinet a construction whereby the playing of the tone D (third space above the staff) at correct pitch may be effected when using the conventional number 8 key.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described since obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the middle part of a clarinet, showing the upper end of the lower section and the lower end of the upper section, with the bridge connections between the sections omitted.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the back part of the instrument through the middle portion shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view illustrating in flat arrangement, or in one plane, the register or number key and the number 8 and number 9 keys, showing in association therewith the improvements comprised in the present invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a' sectional view taken substantial. 1y on the line 5-5 of Figure 3- I Referring now more particularly to the drawing the numerals l2 and H11 designate respectively the lower and upper sections of a clarinet, the joint between the two sections being designated at 14.

As previously set forth the usual or conventional bridge connections between the sections have been omitted for clarity.

In a clarinet with a bore of .575 inch the spacing of the tone holes for best intonation is approximately inch. This is for the cylindrical portion of the bore. The best, or correct, spacing for the tone holes along the tapered portion of the bore depends -on the degree of taper therein. The correct location of the tone hole is, of course, that which will produce the correct intonation for the tone in the lower register and its 12th above. There is but one location for obtaining this result. If the tone hole is placed either above or below such location, or point, one of the tones will be off pitch. Such correct location for the tone hole is defined or identified as the nodal point.

In accordance with the present invention the number 6 or C sharp, G sharp, F key, here designated I5 is placed in reverse position on the instrument from that normally occupied so that, as shown in Figure 1, the key is directed across the front of the instrument from the left side and the supporting arm [8 for the key passes across the rear side of the instrument and carries the tone hole pad or cover 26 in the customary position for covering the tone hole, not shown. The arm 18 is supported on a suitable shaft mounting 22 of conventional type, located at the back of the instrument.

Below and in line longitudinally of the instrument with the tone hole 24 which is covered with the third finger of the left hand there is provided, at the nodal point which lies in the plane indicated by the transverse broken line 25, an extra or additional tone hole 26.

,A shaft 21 is disposed at the right side of the instrument from the tone holes '24 and 26 and carries a ring 28 which encircles the hole 24 and a cover pad 29 which overlies the added tone hole 26. The shaft 21 is spring biased in the manner commonly employed in this instrument so as to maintain the added tone hole pad or cover 29 raised from the tone hole 26. When the ring 28 is depressed the added tone hole 26 has its cover pad closed down so as to close the hole.

Stated another way, the tone hole 26 will be in open position when tones immediately above the C sharp, G sharp, F are played. By placing these tone holes. namely the tone hole 26 and 3 the tone hole under the pad 2|), at the nodal point correct intonation will result. The tone hole pads or covers and 26 are not to be opened simultaneously. When one is opened the other one must remain closed.

By the arrangement thus described a means is provided for producing correct intonation of the tones E fiat (lower line of the staff) and B flat (second space above the staff), when played with the Boehm or one and one, fingering which employs only the thumb of the left hand and the index finger of each hand. When this fingering is employed the pad 29 remains raised and the tone hole 26 is open and being, as previously stated, at the nodal point, correct intonation results for the stated E fiat, B flat tones.

This added tone hole is not used as a C sharp, G sharp, F tone hole as these tones are played in the customary manner, but is for the purpose of having an open C sharp, G sharp, F tone hole equivalent when needed as described above.

In Figure 3 the register or number 10 key is illustrated and designated 30 This key includes the arm 3| and the pad 32 which covers the register hole 33. The supporting shaft for the register key is designated 34.

The register key has a sharpening effect upon the tones above the staff. In the presentinvention this sharpness is reduced by slightly reducing the size of the tone hole 33.

Also illustrated in Figure 3 are the conventional number 8 and number 9 keys which are designated 35 and 36 respectively, the key 35 being employed in playing G sharp, A fiat and the key 36 being employed for playing A natural.

The numeral 31 designates the shaft mounting for the key 36, which shaft has connected therewith by the arm 36 the cover pad 39 for the tone hole 40, while the shaft supporting the key 35 is so that actuation of the key 36 will effect the .1

raising of both of the pads 40 and 43 whereas actuation of the key 35 will effect the raising only of the pad 43. This is standard or conventional construction.

By the addition of the second new tone hole and mechanism about to be described, a means is provided by which the reduction in size of the register tone hole 33 is compensated for when needed for playing B fiat (center line of the staff),

and a means is also providedfor playing D (third l.

space above the staff in tune when using, the number 8 key which is designated 35.

On conventional instrument models thislatter tone is fiat, or low, when played with keyi35.

The added mechanism comprises the short shaft 46 which is supported adjacent to and parallel with the arm 3| between the tone hole or register hole pad 32. and the shaft 34. This addedshaft carries a laterally directed. finger 4] which has its free end disposedbeneath the arm 3-| adjacent to the pad 32, and an oppositely directed finger. 48. which is directedv away from the arm 3|: and has its free end slightly flattened asv indicated at 49.

The shaft 46 is urged by the, conventional type of spring 50, Figure 4, to oscillate in a direction to normally urge the free. end ofthe finger 41 against the underside of the arm 3|. However, theusual or conventional spring, not shown, acting u on th shaft. 34 to.maintainthe.pad 32in closed no:

sition over the tone hole 33, is sufficiently strong to overcome the action of the spring 50 so that the latter cannot raise the pad 32.

In line with the shaft 4| and parallel with the added shaft 46, is a second added shaft 5| which carries the arm 52, one end of which is disposed over the flat end 49 of the arm 48 while the opposite end of the arm 52 carries the tone hole covering pad 53 which overlies an added tone hole 54.

The shaft 5| is engaged by a spring of conventional type, disposed therebeneath as shown in Figure 5 and urging oscillation of the shaft in a direction tending to raise the pad 53 from the tone hole 54 and to press down on the arm 46 .carried by the shaft 46. However, the spring 55 and the spring 56 controlling the shaft 46 are, together, of insufiicient strength to overcome the action of the spring controlling the shaft 34, as a result of which when the pad 32 is closed on the register hole the pad 53 over the added tone hole 54 will also remain closed. This holding action for the pad 53 is also increased by the engagement with the arm 52 of the oiT-set finger 56 carried by the shaft 4|. As shownin Figures 3 and 5 this finger 56 carries an adjustment screw 51 which transmits pressure from the finger 56 to the arm 52 from the side of the shaft which would turn the finger 56 down under the action of the control spring, not shown, for the shaft 4|.

With the added mechanism herein described when B fiat is played by actuating the keys 30, 35 and 3G to open the tone holes 33, 40 and 44, the added tone hole 54 will be open. It will be readily seen that when the pad 32 is lifted, the

arm 3| will move away from the end of the finger 47 thereby permitting the spring 50 for the shaft 45 to turn the shaft and swing the finger 46 down away from the adjacent end of the arm 52. The key 35 having been depressed, the shaft 4.| will be turned in a direction to raise the finger 56 and thus the shaft 5| will be free to turn under the action of. spring 55 to thus raise the pad 53 from the new or added tone hole 54.

The tone hole pad 53 is raised to open the hole 54 only when both keys 36v and 35 are depressed. Key 35 is automatically depressed when key 36 is employed. J It will be seen that keys 30 and 35 operate in the usual or. conventional manner. The new or added mechanism is automatic in connection therewith.

In playing the tone D (third space above: the staff) the new tone. hole 54 provides the necessary extra sound outlet for bringing thistoneto proper pitch. Thesizeof. the tone hole 54 isabcsb determined by the amount of sound outlet; needed to bring the tone D (third space above staff); .up to correct pitch when, played with, key- 35, and the size of the register key. tone. hole 3.3.:is: best determined by the amount needed tobring the B flat (center line of the staff), to correctpitch in association with the new tone hole 54.

In addition to the above. set, forth improve features, the following are set forth:

E flat (above the staff) maybe playediby-da pressingkey 3,6.

E (above the-staff) maybezplayedbyi depressing keys 36 and Ma.

E (above the staff) may be played by depressing key 36.

F sharp (above the stafi) may be played by depressing keys 35, Illa and II.

The last three tones are played with the register key open and the thumb hole open.

In order to obtain proper action between the arms 3i and 92, the arm 3| may be provided with the adjusting screw 53 which will contact the top of the arm H which extends at its free end beneath the arm 3|.

To provide a satisfactory seat for key pad 29, the surface of the main body, or upper section, [2a, or the lower end of such section must be elongated slightly or made somewhat longer than in conventional models. To accomplish this the tenon and socket at the center joint of the instrument are reversed, as shown in Figure 2. Thus, as shown, the tent-u, designated 59, is made a part of the lower seclion [2, while the socket, designated 59, is formed in the upper section [2a. This arrangement provides enough space for the added tone hole, and makes it possible to use a tenon of sufficient length, which would not be possible if the upper section were lengthened and the tenon retained thereon, as the shaft posts at the upper end of the lower section would interfere.

In making this altered construction the tone hole 26 and the hole (not shown) beneath the cup or pad 29, align with corresponding holes (not shown) in the tenon 59. Thus these tone holes pass through the tenon and socket coupling.

Iclaim:

1. Mechanism in a Boehm system clarinet for decreasing the sharpening effect of the open register key upon certain tones, comprising in combination with the conventional pivoted register key and the adjacent #3 and #9 keys, a register key hole of a size reduced from the con ventional hole size, an added tone hole of a size to compensate for the reduction of the register hole size, a cover pad for said added hole, a pivoted arm carrying said cover pad, spring means urging oscillation of the arm in a direction to lift said pad, an operative coupling between said arm and the register key which is broken upon the opening of the register key to free the arm for opening movement, an operative coupling between the #8 key and the arm which is broken upon the opening of the #8 key to free the arm for opening movement, and spring means urging the register key and #3 key closed and each of the last named spring means being of greater strength than the first spring means.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first named operativ coupling includes a pivoted arm separably engaging the first arm, spring means urging movement of the last named pivoted arm out of engagement with the said first arm, and a connecting means between the register key and the last named pivoted arm, said register key when closed holding the last named arm against movement by the last named spring.

3. The invention as forth in claim 1, wherein the first named co pling comprises a shaft adjacent to and paralleling the register key, a laterally extending arm carried by the shaft and having an end engaging and holding the pivoted arm against pivotal movement by the spring acting thereon, a spring connected with said shaft and urging turning thereof in a direction to separate said laterally extending arm from the first arm, and a second laterally extending arm carried by the shaft and engaged and held by the register key against turning movement by the spring urged shaft, while the register key is closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,557,819 Evette Oct. 20, 1925 1,585,296 Loomis May 18, 1926 ,926,489 LeBlanc Sept. 12, 1933 2,182,198 Christensen Dec. 5, 1939 2,506A89 Christensen May 2, 1950 2,598,550 Stubbins May 23, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 662,526 France Mar. 19, 1929 

